Assembly of First Nations - Canada Memorandum of Understanding on Joint Priorities

I am writing to inform you about the Assembly of First Nations – Canada Memorandum of Understanding on Joint Priorities that I signed today with Prime Minister Trudeau on unceded Algonquin territory in Ottawa. The MOU is attached for your reference.http://www.afn.ca/uploads/files/canada-afn-mou-final-eng.pdf

The MOU establishes a commitment for Canada to meet with the AFN at least three times a year, with one of those meetings being chaired by the Prime Minister. The purpose of these meetings is to help ensure that the government’s priorities are consistent with First Nations priorities. First Nations will set direction for these meetings and the AFN will ensure we are making progress on an agenda as determined by First Nations.

These meetings are not a decision-making table. They will be used to mark progress on priorities and to identify key issues and solutions to barriers facing First Nations in advancing their rights and objectives. The priorities under the MOU will be reviewed on an annual basis.

The MOU was originally raised at a meeting on December 15, 2016, with Prime Minister Trudeau and several cabinet ministers, to mark the first anniversary of the release of the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. The Prime Minister expressed his interest in establishing processes to discuss areas of mutual interest.

We provided a Bulletin to you about this meeting on December 16 of last year. The AFN Executive has been provided updates on this work, and there was agreement to proceed at our most recent Executive Meeting.

I believe that First Nations need to be engaging on a regular basis with the key people making federal laws and policies in order to affect and implement proper changes that respect inherent Indigenous and Treaty rights. These meetings are part of that approach. During my term, Prime Minister Trudeau has addressed the Chiefs-in-Assembly on two occasions, the first time a sitting Prime Minister has addressed our leaders from across Turtle Island. AFN Assemblies and AFN Executive Meetings regularly feature involvement from senior Cabinet ministers and officials. The MOU signed today is part of this ongoing engagement. If you would like more information about the Assembly of First Nations – Canada Memorandum of Understanding on Joint Priorities please contact my office.http://www.afn.ca/uploads/files/canada-afn-mou-final-eng.pdfSincerely,

Perry BellegardeNational Chief

- - -

OTTAWA, June 12, 2017Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde today signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau committing to regular, ongoing engagement between First Nations and the Government of Canada to ensure progress and momentum on First Nations priorities.

“This commitment to meet at least three times a year with one of those meetings being chaired by the Prime Minister will help ensure that the government’s priorities are consistent with First Nations priorities,” said AFN National Chief Bellegarde. “First Nations will set direction for these meetings and the AFN will ensure we are making progress on an agenda as determined by First Nations. This is about action and results for First Nations, which will benefit all Canadians.”

The “Assembly of First Nations – Canada Memorandum of Understanding on Joint Priorities” was signed today by National Chief Bellegarde and Prime Minister Trudeau on unceded Algonquin Territory in Ottawa. These meetings will be used to mark progress on priorities and to identify key issues and solutions to barriers facing First Nations in advancing their rights and objectives. The priorities under the MOU will be reviewed on an annual basis.

During National Chief Bellegarde’s term, for the first time ever a sitting Prime Minister addressed the Chiefs-in-Assembly. This has now happened on two separate occasions. AFN Assemblies and AFN Executive Meetings regularly feature involvement from senior Cabinet ministers and officials.

“First Nations need to be engaging on a regular basis with the key people making federal laws and policies in order to affect and implement proper changes that respect inherent Indigenous and Treaty rights,” said National Chief Bellegarde.

Coast Salish Territory, Vancouver, British Columbia – Leaders of the First Nations Summit (FNS) are congratulating National Chief Perry Bellegarde and the Assembly of First Nations for their efforts to secure and sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on shared priorities with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The Assembly of First Nations – Canada Memorandum of Understanding on Joint Priorities, signed this morning at an AFN-Crown meeting, commits to regular, ongoing engagement between First Nations and the Government of Canada to ensure progress on priorities identified by First Nations. A copy of the MOU can be viewed at http://www.afn.ca.

“The MOU signed today is a key commitment by Prime Minister Trudeau and National Chief Bellegarde to solidify a working relationship that will hopefully lead to redress and reconciliation”, said Grand Chief Edward John of the FNS political executive, who attended today’s signing ceremony.

As part of the Canada’s ongoing commitment to a renewed nation-to-nation relationship with Indigenous Peoples, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently announced the establishment of a Working Group of Ministers responsible for a review to examine relevant federal laws, policies, and operational practices.

In today’s meeting, Grand Chief Ed John hand delivered a copy of a proactive First Nations Summit plan for the Crown to meet its constitutional obligations with respect to Aboriginal and treaty rights; adhering to international human rights standards, including the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; and supporting the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.

“The First Nations Summit plan, which was also recently tabled with the federal Working Group of Ministers, describes the realities and challenges First Nations in British Columbia face in resolving the long outstanding land question in BC and advancing reconciliation with the Crown through the made‐in‐BC treaty negotiations framework. A copy of the document was also tabled with Hon, Jody Wilson-Raybould, Minister of Justice, along with a request from the First Nations Summit to meet formally with the Cabinet Working Group”, added Grand Chief John.

The First Nations Summit speaks on behalf of First Nations involved in treaty negotiations in British Columbia. The Summit is also a NGO in Special Consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. Further information on the First Nations Summit may be found at http://www.fns.bc.ca.

Background

The FNS submission to Canada entitled, First Nations Summit submission to the Federal Working Group of Ministers on the Review of Laws and Policies Related to Indigenous Peoples Re: Status of First Nations-Crown Treaty Negotiations in British Columbia, highlights opportunities and provides practical recommendations to Canada for addressing and overcoming negotiation challenges in order to reach comprehensive treaties, agreements and other constructive arrangements. A copy of the submission may be viewed at http://www.fns.bc.ca